Scaffolding

ABSTRACT

Load bearing scaffolding comprises uprights connected by bracing frames. Each frame comprises a cross-member releasably connectable to an adjacent frame.

United States Patent Beziat Sept. 17, 1974 SCAF FOLDING [56] References Cited [75] Inventor: Bernard Beziat, Carrieres-sur-Seine, UNITED STATES PATENTS France 2,452,487 lO/l948 OSullivan 52/637 [73] Assignee: Societe Nouvelle Des Echafandages Tublaires Mills, L6 Boufget France 3j245il88 4/1966 Evuns.........:::::...... .221162 176 3,564,803 2/1971 Breeze l l 52/638 [22] 1972 3,676,972 7 1972 Ballou 52/638 [21] Appl. No.: 282,147

Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Attorney, Agent, or FirmLarson, Taylor & Hinds Sept [6, 1971 France 71.3343] [52] U S Cl 52/638 52/646 182/178 Load bearing scaffolding comprises uprights con- [51] I04g 1/14 nected by bracing frames. Each frame comprises a [58] Fieid 638 cross-member releasably connectable to an adjacent 52/646 frame.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures II EIELI The invention relates to scaffolding, inter alia for load-bearing, e.g. to scaffolding for strengthening framework.

Amongst such scaffolding the invention relates to the kind embodied by stacked vertical uprights releasably interconnected by bracing frames. A problem with such scaffolding is to provide satisfactory bracing of the vertical uprights, and the bracing frames are used for this purpose.

It is an object of this invention to provide scaffolding wherein the bracing frames are light, easy to handle and simple to position.

It is also an object of the invention to provide scaffolding wherein the bracing frames provide greater rigidity than in conventional scaffolding, inter alia by opposing any horizontal deformation of the scaffolding.

It is another object of the invention to provide scaffolding in which the bracing frames can be used in a variety of arrangements to provide towers, spans or the like of any shapes and dimensions.

The scaffolding according to the invention comprises vertical uprights, having coupling means enabling them to be placed one above another, and lateral engagement means for the engagement of bracing frames having complementary engaging means adapted to cooperate with the engaging means of the vertical uprights. According to the invention, each bracing frame comprises at least one connecting cross-member having a free end comprising securing means adapted to provide a rigid connection releasable at least in horizontal directions between such free end and an adjacent bracing frame. Clearly, a bracing frame of this kind which can be embodied by a horizontal cross-member and two associated skew cross-members to form a triangle, is light in weight, easy to handle and simple to position. Also, since each bracing frame is rigidly connected to the vertical uprights and to the adjacent bracing frame, rigidity is better (inter alia because horizontal forces are taken up) than in scaffoldings devoid of any direct connection between the bracing frames, as occurs in con ventional scaffolding with bracing frames.

If the main engaging means of the vertical uprights are devised appropriately, a number of bracing frames can be engaged with a single vertical upright, thus making it possible to devise towers, spans, etc., of any shapes and sizes.

Advantageously, in the case of scaffolding comprising telescopic elements adapted to take up a number of extended positions relatively to the vertical upright, the telescopic elements have lateral engaging means near their top end and are braced against one another by a follower frame having complementary engaging means adapted to cooperate with the main engaging means of the telescopic elements, each follower frame having at least one connecting cross-member, at least the free end of which has guide means adapted to provide a releasable connection, which is rigid at least in horizontal directions, between such free end and the bracing frame interconnecting the vertical uprights bearing the telescopic elements, whatever the position thereof and of the follower frame engaged with the telescopic elements.

The invention can in any case be readily understood from the remaining description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings, which disclose preferred embodiments of the invention and which are not of course limitative. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of scaffolding according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view to an enlarged scale of an important detail of the scaffolding of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-5 are each views in elevation showing alternative forms of scaffolding according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view in elevation showing an advantageous form of scaffolding according to the invention, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the scaffolding shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 1 shows the bottom part of scaffolding embodied by stacked vertical uprights 1 having coupling means 2 enabling them to be stacked; the coupling means 2 can be embodied by providing at the bottom of each upright 1 a socket 2a adapted to extend around the top of the upright 1 immediately below. When engaged together in this way the two uprights 1 can be rigidly connected by means of a pin 2b (FIG. 2). Also, each vertical upright 1 has lateral main engaging means 3, for instance, in the form of U members 3a secured, e.g. by welding, to the upright 1 and cooperating therewith to bound a passage 3b (FIG. 2.). Advantageously, the means 3 of each upright 1 take the form of four U members 3a disposed at to one another at the same level as one another.

Two bracing frames 4 interconnect the vertical uprights 1 of the scaffolding by way of the means 3; to this end, each frame 4 has a horizontal cross-member 5 whose two ends have complementary engaging means 6 adapted to cooperate with the main engaging means 3 of the upright 1. The means 6 can comprise a projection 6a engageable in the passage 3b bounded by the upright l and the U member 3a (FIG. 2). Each frame 4 also comprises two connecting cross-members 7 which are rigidly secured to the horizontal crossmember 5 and which cooperate therewith to form an isosceles triangle.-

The free ends of the two cross-members 7 are interconnected and have securing means 8 adapted to provide a releasable connection between the lastmentioned ends and the horizontal cross-member 5 of the adjacent frame 4. The means 8 can take the form of a yoke-like member 8a which rides on the corresponding horizontal cross-member 5 and which is n'gidly secured thereto by a pin 8b.

In the case of the bottom bracing frame 4, the means 8 cooperate with a bottom horizontal cross-member 5 both ,of whose ends have complementary engaging means 6 adapted to cooperate with main engaging means 3 disposed laterally on vertical uprights 1 on which the adjacent overhead vertical uprights 1 of the scaffolding are engaged. The elements 3,, 6 are arranged similarly to the elements 3, 6.

Preferably the means 2 are adapted to lock the system embodied by the means 3, 6; to this end, the means 3 are disposed near the top end of the upright l and the socket 2a is adapted to form an abutment opposing release of the means 6 from the means 3 of the adjacent upright 1 immediately below (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). If means (not shown) for independent locking of the coupling between the vertical uprights are provided, the means 3 can be positioned near the bottom end of the upright 1 (FIG. 4) or in the central part thereof (FIG. 5). The triangular frames 4 can be positioned either apex downwards, as in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, or apex upwards, as in FIG. 3.

A description will now be given of an advantageous form of the invention comprising scaffolding devised as hereinbefore described and also comprising telescopic elements which are adapted to take up a number of extended positions relatively to the vertical uprights, so that the scaffolding can be built up to give height. This feature is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, which Figures show the top of the scaffolding. However, the telescopic elements can, if necessary, be disposed at the bottom or even in a central part of the scaffolding. The elements 9 can be embodied by tubes sliding in the uprights 1, the tubes being positionable at various extensions by means of a system comprising apertures 10 and a pin 11; alternatively, in variants which are not shown, lifting facilities such as jacks or rams or the like can be used. Each element 9 has main abutment means 12 near its top end which are disposed laterally and which, like the corresponding means 3 of the uprights 1, can be embodied by U members 12a secured, e.g. by welding, to the particular telescopic element 9 concerned and which cooperate therewith to bound a passage 12b.

Advantageously, the main engaging means 12 of each element 9 are embodied by 4U members 120 which are disposed at 90 to one another and at the same level as one another.

The elements 9 are braced relatively to one another by a follower frame 13 comprising a horizontal crossmember 14, both of whose ends have complementary engaging means 15 adapted to cooperate with the means 12 of elements 9. and possibly being embodied by a projection 15a engaging in the passage 12b just described. The frame 13 also comprises two connecting cross-members 16 which are rigidly secured to the horizontal cross-member 14 and which cooperate therewith to form an isosceles triangle. The free ends of the two integers 16 are interconnected and are rigidly secured to a vertical cross-member 17 which extends and is secured to the horizontal cross-member 14. The vertical cross-member 17 is adapted to form guide means 18 adapted to provide a rigid but releasable connection between the member 17 and an element of the bracingframe interconnecting the vertical uprights bearing the particular telescopic elements 9 concerned, whatever the position thereof and of the follower frame 13 engaged with such elements. To this end, the corresponding frame 4 can comprise a vertical cross-member 19 which cooperates telescopically (internally or externally) with the member 17 of the frame 13. In this event, the guide means 18 take the form of a system of apertures 18a and a pin 18b, the apertures 18a being distributed at the same pitch as the holes 10 for varying the extended position of the elements 9. Although the only frames 4 which must have the vertical crossmember 19 are the ones below the follower frames 13, all the frames 4 can, if required, have the member 19, in which event the means 8 can be disposed near the bottom end of the member 19 and be embodied by a system comprising a yoke-like rider and a pin (FIG. 7).

Whichever form of the invention is used, the result is a scaffolding having a number of advantages, some of which can be summarised as follows:

the scaffolding is devised from elements (mainly vertical uprights, bracing frames and follower frames) which are light in weight, easy to handle and simple to position; the scaffolding is rigidly braced near the vertical uprights and near the telescopic elements;

the scaffolding can be embodied in a wide variety of forms (spans, towers) with dimensions adapted to the nature of the load to be borne (magnitude and distribution).

I claim:

1. In scaffolding, comprising bracing frames and vertical uprights, said vertical uprights having coupling means enabling said uprights to be fitted one above another, and lateral engaging means for the engagement of said bracing frames, said bracing frames including complementary engaging means adapted to cooperate with said lateral engaging means of adjacent vertical uprights, the improvement wherein each said bracing frame comprises at least one connecting cross member having an end comprising securing means adapted to be secured (at least in a horizontal direction) directly to an adjacent said bracing frame, at least some of said bracing frames comprising two skew connecting crossmembers which cooperate with a horizontal crossmember to form a triangle lying between immediately adjacent vertical uprights, said securing means being located at the corner of a triangle where said skew connecting cross-members meet.

2. The improved scaffolding of claim 1 wherein the securable end of the connecting cross-member is rigidly secured to a horizontal cross-member of the adjacent bracing frame.

3. The improved scaffolding of claim 2 wherein the bracing frames are disposed securable end downwards.

4. The improved scaffolding of claim 2 wherein the bracing frames are disposed securable end upwards.

5. The improved scaffolding of claim 1 wherein the means enabling the vertical uprights to be placed one above another are adapted to lock the system embodied by said lateral engaging means and the complementary engaging means.

6. The improved scaffolding of claim 5 wherein said lateral engaging means are disposed near the top end of the vertical upright, the means for enabling the vertical uprights to be coupled together one above another being adapted to form an abutment opposing release of the complementary engaging means from said lateral engaging means of the adjacent vertical upright immediately below.

7. In scaffolding, comprising bracing frames and vertical uprights, said vertical uprights having coupling means enabling said uprights to be fitted one above another, and lateral engaging means for the engagement of said bracing frames, said bracing frames including complementary engaging means adapted to cooperate with said lateral engaging means, the improvement wherein each said bracing frame comprises at least one connecting crossmember having an end comprising securing means adapted to be secured (at least in a horizontal direction) to an adjacent said bracing frame, and telescopic elements adapted to take up a number of extended positions relatively to the vertical upright, characterized in that the telescopic elements have lateral engaging means near their top end, follower frames arranged to brace the telescopic elements against one another, said follower frames having complementary engaging means adapted to cooperate with said lateral engaging means of the telescopic elements, each follower frame having atleast one connecting cross-member, having an end securable (at least in horizontal direction) to the bracing frame interconnecting the vertical uprights bearing the telescopic elements, whatever the position thereof and of the follower frame engaged with the telescopic elements.

8. The improved scaffolding of claim 7 wherein the follower frame comprises two skew connecting crossmembers which cooperate with a horizontal crossmember to form a triangle.

9. The improved scaffolding of claim 8 wherein the securable ends of the two connecting cross-members are interconnected and are rigidly secured to a vertical cross-member which extends to and is secured to the horizontal cross-member.

10. The improved scaffolding of claim 9, wherein the vertical cross-member forms the guide means.

11. The improved scaffolding of claim 10, wherein the bracing frame comprises a vertical cross-member which cooperates telescopically with the vertical crossmember of the follower frame, the guide means being embodied a system of apertures and pins, the apertures being distributed at the same pitch as the apertures for varying the extension of the telescopic elements.

12. The improved scaffolding of claim 7 wherein the lateral engaging means of the vertical uprights and the lateral engaging means of the telescopic elements are embodied by four members which are disposed at to one another at the same level as one another. 

1. In scaffolding, comprising bracing frames and vertical uprights, said vertical uprights having coupling means enabling said uprights to be fitted one above another, and lateral engaging means for the engagement of said bracing frames, said bracing frames including complementary engaging means adapted to cooperate with said lateral engaging means of adjacent vertical uprights, the improvement wherein each said bracing frame comprises at least one connecting cross member having an end comprising securing means adapted to be secured (at least in a horizontal direction) directly to an adjacent said bracing frame, at least some of said bracing frames comprisiNg two skew connecting cross-members which cooperate with a horizontal crossmember to form a triangle lying between immediately adjacent vertical uprights, said securing means being located at the corner of a triangle where said skew connecting cross-members meet.
 2. The improved scaffolding of claim 1 wherein the securable end of the connecting cross-member is rigidly secured to a horizontal cross-member of the adjacent bracing frame.
 3. The improved scaffolding of claim 2 wherein the bracing frames are disposed securable end downwards.
 4. The improved scaffolding of claim 2 wherein the bracing frames are disposed securable end upwards.
 5. The improved scaffolding of claim 1 wherein the means enabling the vertical uprights to be placed one above another are adapted to lock the system embodied by said lateral engaging means and the complementary engaging means.
 6. The improved scaffolding of claim 5 wherein said lateral engaging means are disposed near the top end of the vertical upright, the means for enabling the vertical uprights to be coupled together one above another being adapted to form an abutment opposing release of the complementary engaging means from said lateral engaging means of the adjacent vertical upright immediately below.
 7. In scaffolding, comprising bracing frames and vertical uprights, said vertical uprights having coupling means enabling said uprights to be fitted one above another, and lateral engaging means for the engagement of said bracing frames, said bracing frames including complementary engaging means adapted to cooperate with said lateral engaging means, the improvement wherein each said bracing frame comprises at least one connecting crossmember having an end comprising securing means adapted to be secured (at least in a horizontal direction) to an adjacent said bracing frame, and telescopic elements adapted to take up a number of extended positions relatively to the vertical upright, characterized in that the telescopic elements have lateral engaging means near their top end, follower frames arranged to brace the telescopic elements against one another, said follower frames having complementary engaging means adapted to cooperate with said lateral engaging means of the telescopic elements, each follower frame having at least one connecting cross-member, having an end securable (at least in horizontal direction) to the bracing frame interconnecting the vertical uprights bearing the telescopic elements, whatever the position thereof and of the follower frame engaged with the telescopic elements.
 8. The improved scaffolding of claim 7 wherein the follower frame comprises two skew connecting cross-members which cooperate with a horizontal cross-member to form a triangle.
 9. The improved scaffolding of claim 8 wherein the securable ends of the two connecting cross-members are interconnected and are rigidly secured to a vertical cross-member which extends to and is secured to the horizontal cross-member.
 10. The improved scaffolding of claim 9, wherein the vertical cross-member forms the guide means.
 11. The improved scaffolding of claim 10, wherein the bracing frame comprises a vertical cross-member which cooperates telescopically with the vertical cross-member of the follower frame, the guide means being embodied a system of apertures and pins, the apertures being distributed at the same pitch as the apertures for varying the extension of the telescopic elements.
 12. The improved scaffolding of claim 7 wherein the lateral engaging means of the vertical uprights and the lateral engaging means of the telescopic elements are embodied by four members which are disposed at 90* to one another at the same level as one another. 